Courier Friends to Follow

Shooting range closing for construciton

Special to the Courier

POSTED:November 7, 2013 10:31 a.m.

The public shooting range at Richmond Hill Wildlife Management Area will close for an estimated two months beginning Nov. 15, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. The range is closing for the construction of a safety building. Current plans are to re-open by Jan. 15. Funding for the work is from the Federal Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program. Sportsmen and women provide more than $30 million each year through the program to fund wildlife conservation in the state through license fees and excise taxes collected on the purchase of firearms, ammunition and archery and fishing equipment. Funds are granted to states based on several factors, including the number of licenses issued.Georgia has 18 public shooting ranges (firearms or shotgun ranges) and 12 archery ranges. To receive free updates on ranges (closures, new ranges, etc.), “click” on the red envelope at www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/archery-shooting-ranges.Most areas require a Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass or other qualifying license. For information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/archery-shooting-ranges.